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echoes Hugh Masekela ’ s “ Grazing in the Grass .” " Some Things You Never Get Used To " was written by the husband-and-wife team and “ Ain ’ t No Mountain High Enough ” authors Ashford & Simpson . With a driving beat , sparkling brass , and castanet percussion , the song rose to # 30 on the Hot 100 . The pair also provided " You Ain ' t Livin ' Till You ' re Lovin ',” a single for Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell , earlier in the same year as the Supremes version . The closing track , “ Can ’ t Shake It Loose ,” echoes Stevie Wonder ’ s " Uptight ( Everything ' s Alright )" with an extra dose of swing .
Marvin Gaye ’ s 1968 LP In the Groove on the Tamla label would eventually be reissued under the name I Heard it Through the Grapevine after the surprise success of the album ’ s most popular single . This was Gaye ’ s eighth solo studio effort and his first solo record following three duet projects with Tammi Terrell and Kim Weston . This reissue features the original title and cover artwork , which names five featured songs . The soon-to-be-immortalized “ Grapevine ” is relegated to the heading of “ and others …” due to Motown head Berry Gordy ’ s reluctance to even include the
Norman Whitfield-championed song at all . Although “ Grapevine ” became Motown ’ s best-selling single , Gaye ’ s ability to celebrate was dampened by his concern over Terrell ’ s deteriorating health . The album ’ s first single was the tough and soulful “ You ,” featuring a prime Funk Brothers soundtrack paired with Gaye ’ s muscular delivery and soaring falsetto . “ Chained ” is a hard-hitting soul single which reached # 32 on the Hot 100 . Rendered as a pop cha-cha , Gerry Goffin and Carole King ’ s “ Some Kind of Wonderful ” is another highlight . Gaye placed two of his compositions on In the Groove , signaling strengths that would become more greatly exposed in the following years . These include the Gospelinfused funk rave-up “ At Last ( I Found a Love )” and the slow-strolling “ Change What You Can .” Pleading soul shouter , “ It ’ s Love I Need ” lays the blueprint for Daptone soul revivalists , including Charles Bradley . Eddie Holland ’ s " Every Now and Then " recalls his Supremes smash “ You Can ’ t Hurry Love .”
– Jeff Elbel
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Meet the Temptations Love Child
In the Groove
38 illinoisentertainer . com november 2024